Tucker Kraft just locked down a massive four-year, $75 million extension with the Green Bay Packers, vaulting him into the NFL’s top three highest-paid tight ends on a per-year basis. This dude is now pulling an average annual value of $18.75 million, which is absolutely bonkers when you realize only the 49ers’ George Kittle at $19.1 million and the Cardinals’ Trey McBride at $19 million are ahead of him. Plus, this deal could hit $92 million with incentives, and it comes with a sweet $26.5 million signing bonus. Talk about a payday!
Kraft’s Comeback Cash-In
Remember, Kraft was just a 2023 third-rounder, and he absolutely exploded onto the scene in his second year. He became an every-week starter for the Packers, racking up an impressive 707 receiving yards and seven touchdowns. The craziest part? His 2025 season got cut short after only eight games by a torn ACL, but before that injury, he was on an insane pace for over 60 catches, 1,000 yards, and 12 touchdowns! Even with the truncated season, before the injury, he led all tight ends in yards after catch with 344 and yards per reception at 15.3. He was tied for second with six touchdowns and stood third in receiving yards with 489. This guy’s start is pure legend status, joining Rob Gronkowski and Mark Andrews as only the third tight end this century to tally 100 catches, 1,500 receiving yards, and 15 touchdowns in his first three NFL seasons. He earned every one of those millions.
Mayer’s Moment in the Spotlight
It wasn’t just Kraft making bank. Michael Mayer also had a massive payday, agreeing to a multi-year extension with the Las Vegas Raiders. His deal is for three years, $45 million, with a solid $30 million guaranteed. That $15 million average annual value makes him the fourth-largest at the position, and get this: it’s the biggest three-year deal for a tight end in NFL history! Mayer’s officially the number two tight end on the Raiders’ roster behind Brock Bowers, but he’s about to step up big. Bowers just had a meniscus trim on Tuesday, so Mayer is set to carry a sizable workload in these first few weeks of the season. He’s totally capable, too, with 32 career starts already under his belt, 83 career receptions for 788 yards, and three touchdowns. He showed he could handle it last year when Bowers missed five games with knee issues. This is his moment to really shine.
Both Kraft and Mayer are diving headfirst into their 2026 season openers with huge new deals in hand. Kraft, fresh off that torn ACL, has to prove he’s worth every single penny of that $18.75 million average from day one. For Mayer, with Bowers sidelined, this is a massive chance to cement his value as a bona fide starter. It’s gonna be wild watching these guys immediately live up to their new money as the season kicks off!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
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